Brief history
The Fisher Body Company was founded by brothers Frederick and Charles Fisher and incorporated on July 22, 1908.
Initially, Fisher Body, which later enlisted the other five Fisher brothers (William, Lawrence, Edward, Alfred and Howard), manufactured bodies for a diverse array of automakers, at least in its early years.
In 1914, the Fisher Body Company has evolved into the world's leading auto-body manufacturer, having produced an impressive 370,000 car bodies for clients such as Ford, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and Packard.
By 1919, the majority of Fisher Body was owned by General Motors, and by 1926, GM assumed complete ownership, employing it as its internal body-making division.
The Building
The structure on the Northwest corner of I-75 & I-94 was designed by the Detroit architectural firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls (commonly mis-attributed to Albert Kahn, who was the architect of the iconic Fisher Building) and opened in 1919 as the 21st production plant of the Fisher brothers. Initially, the facility manufactured automobile bodies for Cadillacs and Buicks, and later it was utilized by General Motors until 1984.
Subsequently, the ownership and operation of the building were taken over by Cameo Color Coat. In 1990, ownership of the industrial paint operations was transferred to Carter Color Coat. Unfortunately, Carter Color Coat declared bankruptcy and abandoned the building in 1993. It has been sitting empty since then.
The city of Detroit took ownership of the property in 2000 and announced in March 2022 that it would be transformed into more than 400 apartments plus retail space under a redevelopment plan unveiled by developers and city officials.
This currently still post-apocalyptic looking structure is a great reminder of Detroit's automotive and architectural history, and its subsequent decline, in contrast to the amazing renaissance the city has been experiencing for a while. Work at the site started in late 2023.
Great News
According to an online report by Diana Keightlinger from Sep. 24, 2024, the the industrial landmark is now the focus of a $134 million redevelopment into the mixed-use Fisher 21 Lofts. The project will introduce a combination of residential, retail, and co-working spaces within the historic structure.
The redevelopment is being led by McIntosh Poris, a Detroit-based architectural firm recognized for its work in adaptive reuse. Initial efforts have focused on structural assessments, environmental remediation, and preparations necessary to safely convert the former factory into housing.
Design plans include the introduction of interior atriums to bring natural light and air into the deep floorplates of the building, while maintaining the industrial character defined by its concrete structure and large-scale proportions.
The project will include a mix of market-rate and income-restricted units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. As an adaptive reuse development, the conversion also reflects broader sustainability goals by preserving the existing structure and reducing the need for new construction materials.
Once complete, the redevelopment of Fisher Body 21 will represent a significant transformation of one of Detroit’s long-vacant industrial sites into a new residential and commercial destination.
Here's a list of properties which at one point all related to the Fisher Family. They can also be found on Historic Detroit: